Patna, 04 March (H.S.): Holi celebrations in Bihar's Sitamarhi district turned mournful when four people, including a father-son pair, died from asphyxiation in a septic tank while attempting to rescue a man who had fallen inside.The incident unfolded around 7 p.m. Tuesday in Kurhar village under Bokhra police station limits, Ward 13 of Kurhar panchayat. One man fell into the toilet's septic tank; successive rescuers descended amid toxic gases and poor ventilation, leaving seven unconscious. Villagers rushed them to a nearby hospital; four were referred to Sitamarhi Sadar Hospital in critical condition and succumbed Wednesday.

The deceased—Rajiv Sahni (40), son of Lalu Sahni; Ravindra Sahni (30), son of Lalu Sahni; Vinay Sahni (26), son of Rambabu; and Krishna Kumar (12), son of Rajiv Sahni—all hailed from Ward 12. Grief engulfed the village as families wailed.

Sitamarhi SP Amit Ranjan confirmed the tank's depth and gas buildup caused the fatalities. Rumors of illegal liquor brewing inside were dismissed pending probe, highlighting dangers of entering enclosed spaces without safety gear.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar